Lamorna

Lamorna Cove is a beautiful and secluded area of Cornwall sat between the pretty harbour town of Mousehole and the glorious Porthcurno beach. You can walk the coastal path to both of these locations, or if you’re feeling adventurous, walk all the way to Land’s End! Lamorna Cove is the perfect base to enjoy a self catering holiday and to explore the further reaches of West Cornwall.

Lamorna

The cliffs around Lamorna Cove are beautiful. The cove has been known for fishing and quarrying in the past. It was also a haunt for artists such as 'Lamorna Birch', particularly in the 1930s. The Cove also has an arts festival and a flourishing village hall, in which you might see international performers from time to time on the Carn to Cove Rural Touring Circuit. The cove lies at the end of a woodland valley, as does St. Loy, a little further south along the coast.

Lamorna Cove

When the tide is out, Lamorna Cove sports a small sandy beach, but its rocky nature means the area is better known for diving and snorkelling. A nearby beach café serves hot and cold snacks or park up and enjoy an ice cream while looking out to sea. In the summer season you can hire motorboats and kayaks or if you’d rather something less active, the blue waters are perfect for bathing. If a day at the beach is your thing, check out our guide to Sandy beaches in West Cornwall for other beaches in the area which are well worth visiting.

Drink and dine

You won't be without places to eat when you enjoy a self catering holiday in Lamorna. The nearby Cove Restaurant serves a delicious, seasonal menu while the Lamorna Wink provides a refreshing mid-afternoon beverage! Drive a few minutes to the nearby village of Mousehole and dine out at the Ship Inn or 2 Fore Street, a bistro-style restaurant on the harbour front. Find out more about Eating out in Mousehole >

Things to do near Lamorna

With the harbour town of Penzance just a short drive away, there's plenty to keep you entertained on a self catering holiday in Lamorna. For ideas on what to do during your stay with us, check out our blog post on Days out around Penzance.

A trip to the stunning tidal island of St Michaels Mount is a must if you're in the area.

Walks

Lamorna is the perfect place to enjoy the stunning scenery that the West Cornwall offers. With coastal paths to the east and west, and other inland walks to traditional Cornish villages, ramblers will be in their element. Visit the ancient celtic site of the Merry Maiden stone circle on route to Porthcurno or make the famous 'Good Friday' walk to the quaint fishing village of Mousehole. Read more on our blog on Mousehole Walks.

A true story...

A lot of famous people holiday in the hills and coves of Cornwall. In the 1970s, three locals (an out of work actor, a DJ, and a young writer) decided to start a hospital radio station, named Duchy Hospital Radio. They set up in a caravan in a car park behind West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance. The actor and writer were particularly interested in spoken word programmes and secured an Uher, the must-have portable reel to reel audio tech of the day. The actor discovered that a famous person was getting away from it all at Lamorna Cove Hotel. An interview with George Harrison would get Duchy Hospital Radio noticed! The famous Beatle was only too pleased to help and invited them to join him at the hotel for a cream tea. For an hour or more the actor and writer chatted amiably to George about being famous, hiding away in Cornwall, what the other Beatles were like, and the price of tea and chips. Back in the Duchy Radio caravan, the novice reporters soon discovered that in the excitement of meeting their hero, the actor had forgotten to press ‘Record’!

Mousehole Christmas Lights

Possibly the most well-known and popular Christmas Lights in the county, Moushole combines stunning displays against the backdrop of their gorgeous Cornish fishing harbour to bring real festive magic to all who visit at this special time of year.

Tom Bawcock's Eve, Mousehole

The tradition of Tom Bawcock comes from the feast or famine lifestyle of Cornwall. The story goes that it was just before Christmas; there had been no fish for weeks, the boats couldn’t get out into the raging storm, the village was starving. One man, Tom Bawcock, dared to take his boat out of the harbour’s safety. He returned with enough fish to make fish pie for the whole village.

Today, a festival takes place each year to celebrate Tom Bawcock's bravery. During the festival, Star Gazey pies are eaten in memory of this famous event.

St Ives Feast Day

Held on the anniversary of the consecration of the Parish Church of St Eia in 1434 AD, Feast Day offers visitors to witness - and even join in with - some centuries-old traditions. A morning precesison led by the Mayor to bless the Well of St Eia. Following this, the Mayor will 'Hurls the Silver Ball' into a crowd of children who assemble on the beach below. The one who returns the ball to the Guildhall steps by midday receives a silver coin. In the afternoon the Mayor then throw pennies from the balcony of the Guildhall for children to collect.

Porthleven Food & Music Festival

The small Cornish fishing village of Porthleven hosts its annual Food & Music Festival every April and encorporates street performers, a range of local produce, Samba dancing, theatre, beer marquees, hip-hop dancers, fireworks, Cornish singing & much, much mmore...the list is endless!

St Ives Food & Drink Festival

Golowan Festival - Penzance

Golowan Festival is an annual community arts event that celebrates local culture and the social and natural environment. 'Mazey Day' takes place on the Saturday of the festival and guarantees to be a very colourful affair!

St Ives Lifeboat Day

A fun packed day hosted by the RNLI lifeboat Station. See the lifeboats on display and in action on the water with demonstrations featuring one of the Search & Rescue helicopters from RNAS Culdrose!

TBC August 2018

Newlyn Fish Festival

Newlyn Fish Festival is the biggest and best of its kind in the UK. Taste some of the finest seafood on offer and enjoy cookery demonstrations, live music and arts and crafts. Local fishmongers take part in the The Cornish fishmonger of the year competition and the popular 'Fishy Trail' is perfect to keep the kids entertained.

Penzance Literary Festival

Popular with visitors and locals alike, this exciting festival celebrates everything literary, including spoken, written, recited and sung word. Take part in the reading and writing discussions and activities and enjoy the many performances.